Almost £30,000 is being invested in to play equipment which will keep youngsters active.

Dursley town councillors have approved a new zip wire facility to be installed and important safety improvements to the existing Borneo climbing frame. These improvements are in addition to the revamp of the BMX track and new picnic tables carried out at the beginning of 2017.

Read More

New combined football and rugby goal posts have been ordered and are due to be installed in the next few weeks as well.

The new zip wire and improvements to the Borneo climber cost £13,000, the combined rugby and football post costs are £1,000 and the BMX track improvements were £14,000.

The Borneo equipment will be refurbished

The town council’s green spaces committee confirmed improvements and new facilities for Highfields Play Area at its meeting on September 19.

Councillor Alex Stennett, chairman of the committee, said: “I am pleased the green spaces committee has been able to approve and oversee the improvements we are making to Highfields Play Area over the last few months. I am sure the zip wire will be a popular addition to the existing play equipment."

Read More

The committee has also reviewed the future of the existing youth shelter, following complaints relating to anti-social behaviour. It reviewed correspondence received both for and against its removal, the crime statistics and accompanying comments from the local neighbourhood police team.

The committee decided that the existing shelter will be removed with a new shelter being provided. The style and location of the new shelter will be consulted with the police, local residents and users of the facility. In the short term, some alterations will be made to the existing youth shelter to reduce the regular graffiti, noise and anti-social behaviours that have been reported.

Mayor Neil Grecian said: “It was a difficult decision for the committee to make. I feel it is important to provide a shelter that will be more suitable for all users of the play area but will not be to the detriment of the local residents.”